Firearms and Dangerous Weapons

The Wisconsin Administrative Code at UWS 18.10(3) prohibits a person from carrying, possessing, or using any dangerous weapon on university lands or in university buildings or facilities, unless it is for law enforcement purposes, the person receives written approval of the Chancellor, or is otherwise exempted under Wisconsin State Law. Chapter 18 permits police to confiscate and remove dangerous weapons from university lands. 

On July 8, 2011, Governor Walker signed 2011 Wisconsin Act 35 into law. Effective November 1, 2011, it is lawful in the State of Wisconsin for licensed individuals to be armed with a concealed weapon, or to carry particular weapons in an open or concealed manner, as long as there is no indication of a criminal or malicious intent. This law provides certain exemptions for schools and universities, however, that are implemented further in this policy. 

UWM is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment and to ensuring that it acts to the extent possible to shield its students and employees from harm, including from firearms and other dangerous weapons (and/or discharge thereof) on university property and in connection with university activities and events. 

It is the intent of UWM and purpose of this policy to prohibit firearms and dangerous weapons in university buildings and on university grounds, and in connection with university activities and events, to the maximum extent required and/or permissible under the law. This policy provides additional details about implementation of the applicable laws at UWM. 

Concealed Carry Weapon or CCW is a weapon that a Licensee may carry in a concealed fashion, except as prohibited in certain locations as detailed in this policy. CCWs are: a handgun, electric weapon defined in Wis. Stat. 941.295(1c)(a), or a billy club. (Wis. Stat. 175.60(1)(j))

Dangerous Weapon means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm; any ligature or other instrumentality used on the throat, neck, nose or mouth of another person to impede, partially or completely, breathing or circulation of blood; any electric weapon as defined in Wis. Stat. 941.295(1c)(a); or any other device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm. (Wis. Stat. 939.22(10)) 

Firearm means a weapon that acts by force of gunpowder. (Wis. Stat. 167.31(1)(c)) 

Licensee means an individual holding a valid license to carry a concealed carry weapon or CCW issued in Wisconsin, or an individual who is not a resident of Wisconsin, who is 21 years or over and who holds a valid license to carry a concealed weapon in another state. (Wis. Stat. 175.60(1)(d)) 

School means a public school, parochial or private school, or tribal school, as defined in Wis. Stat. 115.001, which provides an educational program for one or more grades between grades 1 and 12 which is commonly known as elementary school, middle school, junior high school, senior high school, or high school. (Wis. Stat. 948.605(1)(b), 948.61(1)(b))

Special event means an event that is open to the public, is for a duration of not more than 3 weeks, and either has designated entrances to or from the event that are locked when the event is closed or requires admission. (Wis. Stat. 943.13(1e)(h)) 

A. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons in UWM Buildings

Individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms and dangerous weapons into buildings or portions of buildings that are owned, occupied, or controlled by UWM. UWM shall place signs in prominent places near all of the entrances to UWM buildings notifying the UWM community and visitors of this ban. This ban on firearms and dangerous weapons inside UWM buildings applies equally to Licensees. 

This ban does not apply to firearms or dangerous weapons carried solely within motor vehicles that might be parked in UWM parking facilities except as provided in section B of this Policy.

B. No Firearms within 1000 Feet of Schools

Individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms, except for a handgun carried in a concealed manner by a Licensee, outside of UWM buildings, on any portion of UWM buildings or grounds that falls within 1,000 feet of any school (defined above) (e.g. Hartford Elementary School), including within vehicles parked in UWM parking facilities within this zone. These areas are known as “Gun-Free School Zones.” Maps showing the Gun-Free School Zone surrounding Hartford Elementary School and other schools nearby UWM buildings are attached as Appendix A. 

C. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons by Employees

Employees of UWM, including student employees, are prohibited from carrying and discharging firearms or other dangerous weapons while engaged in any employment activity on behalf of UWM, whether on or off campus. 

This ban does not apply to firearms or other dangerous weapons carried solely in the employee’s own motor vehicle. Note, however, that the gun-free school zone does not permit firearms in vehicles on school grounds. 

D. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons in Residence Halls

No individual may possess firearms or any other dangerous weapons in the residence halls. 

E. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons in UWM Vehicles

No individual may possess firearms or any other dangerous weapons in UWM owned or operated vehicles, including in housing, parking, and other shuttles.

F. No Firearms or Dangerous Weapons at UWM Special Events

No individual may possess firearms or any other dangerous weapons at UWM special events (see definition above), except in vehicles driven or parked in a parking facility in connection with the event. UWM may place signs in prominent places at UWM events, depending on scope and size of the event, notifying the campus community of this ban. 

G. Exemptions to Prohibited Behavior

The above bans on firearms, (or the discharge of firearms), and dangerous weapons do not apply to sworn law enforcement personnel. In addition, from time to time, the Chancellor may grant exemptions under unique, limited circumstances (e.g., if an unloaded firearm is required as part of an artistic performance or if a firearm or weapon is required in a laboratory by a research project). Persons seeking such an exemption should first consult with the UWM Police Chief, who shall refer the request for an exemption along with the UWM Police Chief’s recommendation to the Chancellor. Such an exemption must be obtained from the Chancellor in writing, in advance. 

Any person who observes an individual in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon should contact the UWM Police Department at 414.229.4627 or 911. 

Individuals in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon may be issued citations by the UWM Police Department pursuant to Chapter UWS 18.08 and/or subject to arrest for relevant state statue(s). 

UWM students found in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon may be subject to the Student Non-Academic Misconduct procedures which could result in sanctions including but not limited to cancelation of university housing contract, suspension, or expulsion. 

UWM employees may be subject to disciplinary procedures.  

• Appendix A - Location of Gun-Free School Zones Impacting UWM Properties

November 1, 2011

Original

December 1, 2020

Revised

October 1, 2025

Reviewed

January 28, 2026

Appendix a - Editorially revised for accessibility